The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-25
THE MAZES OF CHRISTMAS
FROM THE DIM, DISTANT PAST TO
THE PRESENT GLORIOUS TIME.
A Promiscuous Ramble Through the
Various Agencies Which Make Il a
Day Wherein Christian People Cele-
brsto with Enthusiasm.
December 2s, 1ss7--ohristmas day.

the globe. Here 1t is confined 10 no sect or
creed, and distinctions are governed more
by circumstances than lack of desire. Those
~unhampered by business or scarcity of
means enter upon its observance with one
single idoa-to be happy. Wavs and means
bring widely varying methods. some lind
greatest enjoyment in the house Of worship,
joining in public alteration of the one whose
birth it commentaries Others, with
equally noble sentiments, mark the day by
bestoving generosity where greatest good
will result. Then comes the class who have
wandered from nome in search of fame and
fortune, who return TO show the delights
and joys Of roast turkey, cranberry sauce
aud other c~oncomitants which go to to make
mp q festive occasion, to say nothing of tho
family reunion feature.
In nearly every nation under the sun the
day is celebrated, in some way or other, in
greater or less degree. In England, methods
for observance almost identical with those
in America prevail. In Ireland. the public
worship feature reigns. Mass Is said at mid
night, again at 8 O'Clock a. m, and Mt inter
walls until noon. Every subject Of the
Cburch of Rome Is expected tO attend at
$500 ~ - AAi1oN Ad1Nt III IIulltts llulN
and other European nations, New Years
day, Is the popular anniversary. though
Christmas Is by no means overlooked. Gift
giving constitutes the principal method Of
celebration. Children and young people,
according to natives resident in Memphis,
leave home for the ostcnsible purpose Of
visiting %neighbors and friends, but, IN real
ity, Ia give and receive memontOes of the oc.
casiOn and esteem. Special religious sery.
ices are not overlooked, and are generally
largely attended. But feasting and jollifca-
ton ON a large scale are delayed for a week.
AS compared with ante bollum and siav.
cry days, the cOlOred people of the south do
not welcome and enjoy the day with tho
same unrcstrained freedom nnd plcnteous.
ness. While slaves the majority OF masters
contributed with layishness To their pleas.
llrts, and nothing remained for the subjects
but 10 20 IN aud make an event of IL. But
the masters went even beyond the day itself.
and bestowed rewards wherever faitlifulncss
laid claim. All labor, beyond that actually
necessary, was discontinued; the nyersecrs
forgot their customary severity, and good
feeling and good cheer prevailed in and
around every homestead. This state uf af.
fairs generally continued throughout the
holidays, u the negroes even given every
opportunity for enjoying themselves greatly.
Conditions are changed, and few of the col.
orcd people have risen 10 a position where
the same amount Of idle pleasures may be
had. Struggling for themselves, with obi
gallons and responsibilities on their own
shoulders, answorablo to the same laws and
subject TO the same restrictions imposed
upon their white fellow creatures, they have
neither the lime nor the means. Fortunate
do ihcy consider thcmsclyc. IL one of the six
work days may be taken or without serious.
ly Infringing upon their small store Of
money and household goods.
Ia gVat cotton centeTs like Memphis
oiorhanging dangers exclude one class Of
citizens from following the bent Of their in
olinaiions. This is the mall hoy and older
people with boyish propensitics. Fire-crack-
on, tOrpcdOes and other explosives have
always been regarded and cherished by
mem NJ component parts Of the day. With.
out them they care littt for Christmas, OK.
cept that In most cases IL brings turkey,
oysters and other dclicacics known only on
state occasions. The customary edict has
gone forth from the local authorities, setting
forth that whosoever shall tempt a police.
man by thrusting upon his ears sounds from
explosives does so on peril Of his freedom,
and also reduction Of the old mans bank
account This was a serious blow 10 tle
urchins, and will cause them no little
trouble. OF course II will not prevent them
rom frightening the wits out OF passers by
with ihe festive cracker, but they will have
D. seek cid streets and alleys 10 indulge
their prnks. IL will also ncccssiate organ.
izaiion for self-protcction against watchful
pcclcS, u some will stand guard while
Others apply the spark, the whole body
working In r%cliefs, rs IL were. The law strict
enough to outwit and suppress tho small
boy las yet 10 DC enacted or ordained. What
docs hn know or care about millions OF dol
Ian being piled on the streets In cotton
bales Thi property has no rights which
lac IL bound % respect II will be a sad day
for heRolicc II they attempt TO enforce the
ordinance.
Reference 20 the several places where relig
ious services appropriate 10 the day would
be- held was made In TnE Atrial yesterday.
Announcements also appear Ina another col
umn ~ the paper this morning. Basing the
prediction upon past occasions, the various
Congregations today will include moro than
hall the population Of the city. Then. too,
there Z, another solid foundation for the be.
lief, which l. the dual character OF the day.
Besides It's anniversary character, Il Il also
The regular christian sabbath az day OF rest.
In ole respect this isn decided a~dyantage-tO
those Who cannot let n Christmas pass with
out drinking To the good health aud merry |
Christmas" Of every friend aud stranger met. |
10 be SURF these genial fellows arc more or
les incbriatcd by the promiscuosity. Now
for the advantage: To indulge In NIL the fcs.
hNiilfh iNsthlllIl un Tue iftHt nav NnNIl It /
to depart from stuight-laccd views Of pro-
prioty, and not 20 do 10 would be regarded
as an absolute loss Of n great opportunity. |
Hence, the two cannot be allowed a. pass by
together. Recognizing this fact, something
must be donc for n separation. The remedy
vas long since discovered aud applied, aud
succeeding generations have never raised a
niurmur Of dissent In legal aud popular
phases the Monday Immediately following
IL HLW InNHInN h.NI.N. .aaA..E.a.l -. /
changes, banks. etc, arr therefore permitted
10 remain closed on these days, just the same
M " the anniversary had fallen on them In
stead ~ Sunday. This practice will prevail
this year, aud tomorrow everybody may
eclrbmte n best suits their taste, and desires. |
Frrm the crowded appearance Of the prln.
cipal i~horuuRhfarcs during the past ten days, |
somebody has p~roittcd largely by the return
Of Christmas, and this prpiit has been two
fold. (l) Tho dealers In wares suitable Tor
Christmas purchases have had all the Gus.
toners increased forces of assistants could
attend 10. sold out everything offered, lock, |
stock and barrel, and nj n satisfactory profit
t2l those purchases were distributed among
friends and relatives Of the buyers, who, In
turn, rccompcnsed the contributor 10 their
happiness with rcmcmbmncc- IN kind. Thus
everybody Is happy, orif not they should
be. One thing " certaln-tho female pOpu.
htion % the city, 10 whom the sidewalks
were largely surrendered, feel a lightncss Of
heart aud buoyancy Of spirit truly refresh.
Ing 10 the disturbed man IL business. This
may he partially accounted for by the noble
work Cone by the fair sex In bringing relief
"a the poor aud needy. and by the plethoic |
purses placed at their disposal 10 make
Christmas purchases.
Yesterday was n somewhat damp and
chilly day: IN the forenoon, and NJ an early
hour. stray flakes u snow were observed fly
INK niuut M the strong northe bfezc. To
ward nirhtfall the temperature dropted sew.